Calamity Messenger

Chapter 158 - 125: Seven-Step Buddha Chant (Part 2)

"Chancellor!" Doctor Sun had no choice but to look at Shang Xuanwen, hoping the Chancellor could help persuade: "How can you let a patient participate in a Secret Realm battle?"

Unfortunately, Shang Xuanwen’s thought process was not like a normal person’s: "I have arranged for a carriage to depart in half an hour, and you should reach Xuanwu Lake Military Town in approximately four hours."

"Alright."

Shang Xuanwen didn’t hesitate at all, instructing Shangqia to fetch pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and wrote a recommendation letter on the spot to hand to Mouse Monk: "Once you arrive at Xuanwu Lake, you hand over this letter; they might arrange for you to start as a Martial Soldier. If they frame or deceive you, you can handle it yourself or write to inform me."

Yan Qing received the letter and thought for a moment before asking, "What if as an outraged monk, I kill someone and escape, Chancellor, what will you do?"

"Interesting, there happens to be a similar case recently." Shang Xuanwen raised his eyebrows: "If you dare to act lawlessly and commit violence privately, the Court will naturally pursue you; I will not protect any criminal. If you are caught, the Ministry of Justice will punish you according to the law."

So, you will help me not to get caught? Suddenly, Yan Qing found this old fellow somewhat interesting.

When they reached the carriage, Yan Qing realized it was of the same standard as Shang Xinlei’s family carriage, equipped with all living facilities, just like a mobile home.

"During your time at Xuanwu Lake, this carriage is lent to you," Shang Xuanwen said. "Inside are clothes and rewards prepared for you, with a coachman and servants to care for the carriage. Do you need anything else?"

"No, that’s all."

"Take care, I’m not seeing you off."

Not seeing off truly meant not seeing off; Shang Xuanwen left the Shang Family immediately after explaining, accompanied by many guards. It seemed he had taken time from his busy schedule to visit Mouse Monk. As a Chancellor of a nation, especially after so many events last night, he hardly had time to waste. Numerous affairs at the Imperial Palace and Ministry of Personnel awaited his decision.

Thankfully, Yan Qing didn’t like dilly-dallying; if Shang Xuanwen insisted on keeping him for gratitude, Yan Qing would be troubled. This was good, like the NPC interactions in a game: I help you, you reward me, then we’re even; you continue your life, I continue my game.

Two maids waited at the carriage door, looking gentle and lovely, with shapely figures, softly welcoming Mouse Monk inside. Yan Qing mused whether Shang Xuanwen was using this to test a monk by sending such pretty maids. Could it be that the old fellow noticed my occasional glance at street beauties through Mouse Monk’s eyes? But Mouse Monk was a man of integrity; after all, "Messenger" was an all-ages game.

The interior of the carriage was extremely luxurious, with maids serving on both sides. If Mouse Monk were to wear a Brocade Kasaya, anyone witnessing would surely praise him as a ’fine monk cloaked in gold yet rotten within’. Through the window, one could vaguely hear citizens discussing last night’s theft case. Some lamented missing the opportunity to exchange mundane items for the Heart-Protecting Mirror, while others burned paper praying to the Divine Marquis Mansion, making the streets as bustling as a festival.

Once the carriage left Jiangnan City, Yan Qing lost interest in sightseeing. Before logging out of his alternate account, he remembered Shang Xuanwen mentioning clothes and gifts on the table. Upon checking, he couldn’t help but laugh—Shang Xuanwen really prepared a Brocade Kasaya for him. Who knew how he acquired it; this high-grade professional gear should have been custom-made, right?

Besides the Brocade Kasaya, there were many comfortable and convenient inner garments; Shang Family products were undoubtedly excellent. Yan Qing decisively took two sets for himself to wear.

Yet, what surprised Yan Qing the most was discovering a "Basic Sword Mastery Secret Manual" and an "Advanced Sword Mastery Secret Manual" on the table!

His first reaction was to use them immediately; these manuals were enough to make him undergo a second transformation, especially since he had already acquired an Advanced Movement Mastery Manual from Qi Kingdom. However, after brief contemplation, he abandoned this tempting idea.

Firstly, even after a second transformation, Bingzi Pepper Forest was still his strongest battle token at hand. Using the manuals to switch to a sword-based class would likely lead Yan Qing to a career in swordsmanship, incongruent with Bingzi Pepper Forest.

Secondly, although he believed the alternate account’s possessions were his, the gifts were inevitably from Shang Xuanwen to Mouse Monk. Yan Qing hoped Mouse Monk would accept these presents.

Undoubtedly, this was mere idle self-indulgence. Mouse Monk was merely his controlled puppet; it was the player Yan Qing who owed gratitude to Shang Xuanwen. However, games allow players to project themselves onto their characters, fantasizing about experiencing different lives through them as a form of self-satisfaction.

Apart from the manuals, there was a box, which Yan Qing opened to reveal a rare second-transformation longsword, engraved with a Buddhist chant: ’All phenomena are illusory.’

"Seven Steps of Meditation"

"Grade: Rare Second-Transformation"

"Durability: 70/75"

"Equipment Requirements: 10 Qi Blood"

"Equipment Requirements: Advanced Swordsmanship MAX"

"Base Attack Power: 15~40 points"

"Effect: Accumulated Karma: Damage dealt by this sword doesn’t manifest immediately. After the enemy moves seven steps or seven seconds, accumulated damage explodes, causing 150% critical damage. You can toggle this effect."

"Effect: Killing: This sword deals an extra 10 damage to humanoid enemies and guarantees maximum lethality."

"Review: It is said that a swordsman once gambled with a monk, with the swordsman believing his sword could cut anything and the monk believing Buddha would protect him. After being struck by the swordsman, the monk was unharmed, but after taking seven steps, his head suddenly fell off. The sword was allegedly so sharp, the monk didn’t realize he had been killed."

Clearly, Shang Xuanwen had considered things; this Seven Steps of Meditation sword didn’t require Spiritual Jade, allowing Mouse Monk to utilize all its effects even after one transformation. Yet, gifting a weapon designed to slay monks to a monk... felt slightly ironic.

In the sword box, there was also a note, which Yan Qing picked up and read, momentarily stunned.

"Seeing you, Great Monk, so fond of Heaven-Swaying, I intended to request Your Majesty to gift Heaven-Swaying Sword to you. Unfortunately, things are unpredictable. I hope this Vajra Buddha Sword suits you well, and with this, our past scores are settled, remaining friends."

"Vajra Buddha Sword?" Yan Qing chuckled, "These illiterates, don’t just name it randomly because of a Buddhist chant on the sword."

He had Mouse Monk wear the kasaya and equip Seven Steps of Meditation. The carriage was stable, the road smooth, without the slightest jolt inside.

"Friends..."

Yan Qing sighed suddenly, "You’re making me kind of want friends."

Communication is a completely normal emotional need; though exchanges can be made in games, it is ultimately under the guise of alternate accounts, adhering to designated personas. But for someone like him, hiding at Thief’s House, how could he meet people? Unless heaven sends a raid-turned-romance.

"Forget it, let’s head to Zhen San Mountain and test the feel of Seven Steps of Meditation. Hopefully, Zheng Shan is durable enough for a couple of strikes."